By Staff Reporter
The City of Kwekwe says it has stabilised potable water supplies, with more than 90 percent of residents now receiving water regularly, following recent operational improvements.
Speaking after a full council meeting, Mayor Albert Zinhanga said the local authority had managed to address earlier disruptions that had triggered concern among residents.
“For the past one or two weeks, there has been no outcry in the town. We have managed to restore the status of water supply for the city,” Zinhanga said.
He attributed the recent stability partly to reduced rainfall, explaining that heavy rains had previously affected water treatment processes at Sebakwe, the city’s main raw water source.
“Whenever it is raining, the water at Sebakwe becomes heavily silted, making it difficult for us to process raw water efficiently,” he said. “Instead of producing between 65 and 70 megalitres per day, we sometimes drop to 40 to 45 megalitres due to the silt.”
Zinhanga said improved weather conditions had allowed the municipality to increase production capacity and maintain more consistent supply levels.
“When it is not raining, the water is steady and we can produce more. Currently, over 90 percent of residents are receiving water almost every day,” he said.
Kwekwe has in recent years faced intermittent water shortages, often linked to infrastructure constraints and environmental factors affecting raw water quality.
The mayor said council would continue monitoring the situation and implementing measures to sustain supply, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall that compromise treatment efficiency.
Residents contacted for comment said water availability had improved in some suburbs, though others called for long-term solutions to ensure consistent supply regardless of weather conditions.
The local authority has not yet indicated whether additional interventions will be introduced to mitigate the impact of siltation during the rainy season.
